Thank you Mayor for taking a stand where most elected officials don't.

Some Utah residents have figured this out. Those that haven't seem
largely confused by UTA's messages, especially in regards to Telco issues.
The light goes on when they discover their funding source is the telecoms.

Utah politics works best when we all understand who's talking, and
are clear about their positions.

It's the Utah Taxpayers
Association's JOB. They are a tax watchdog. It's their JOB to
expose and fight against things that will increase our taxes. They didn't
only criticize the plan to increase taxes to fund UTOPIA. They did the same
when politicians wanted to use taxes to fund construction of the Soccer Stadium.
And the Convention Center. And the gov funded hotel downtown. And many
other politicians dreams.

Why would they NOT do their job... on
UTOPIA???

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As for them acting as a "straw
man"... I do not think that word means what you think it means.

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As for the Utah Taxpayers Association being a bunch of
big telecom people...

Who specifically are you talking about. The
members are easy to find out. Just google "Utah Taxpayers Association"
and click "About". The people involved are listed. They aren't
Telecom people.

As for their funding... I don't think they have
much funding. They don't need a lot of funding. But if they were
business driven... why have they consistently sided AGAINST business getting
access to tax funds, and FOR lower taxes?

I used to respect UTA as well. But their inconsistent messages and half-truths
started to wear thin. That's when I took a closer look.

Yes,
the employees of UTA certainly do feel it's their job to spread the message
dictated by their employer/contributor, CenturyLink and Comcast. Although UTA
does not release their funding sources, these sources have been leaked in the
past, are common knowledge, and UTA will "not confirm or deny" receiving
the majority of their funding from telcos.

I trust public advocacy
groups that do not receive over half of their donations from the groups they
pretend to not represent. UTA would have more credibility if they would abstain
from acting as a "straw man" for the telcos. As it stands, you'll
find that the number one issue they take on are . . . teclo related issues!

As for the UTA, has anyone seen them take a position counter to that of
CenturyLink and Comcast? If so, I'd like to see it. Has the UTA ever
taken on the issue of Telcos receiving government subsidies or preferential
regulatory treatment?